Refractory Metal W-5Re-SR (Stress relieved)
Heat-treated state
ASTM B387 Grade WRe5
Choose when coiled or wound parts must hold shape and stay dimensionally stable without losing the worked fibre structure.
Values for the SR condition
Other W-5Re tempers and conditions
W-5Re is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at W-5Re.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Recrystallized / fully annealed | Use when maximum thermo-EMF stability and creep resistance at 2000 °C+ matter more than room-temperature toughness; the alloy is notch-sensitive in this state. | 600 | 850 | 8 | 44 HRC | 16 % IACS |
SRThis page Stress relieved | Choose when coiled or wound parts must hold shape and stay dimensionally stable without losing the worked fibre structure. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 5 | 51 HRC | 15.4 % IACS |
ADDefault As-drawn / cold-worked wire | Standard supply condition for Type C thermocouple legs and furnace heater/support wire — maximum strength, minimum handling breakage. | 1,700 | 1,900 | 3 | 56 HRC | 15 % IACS |
What is W-5Re-SR?
W-5Re-SR is W-5Re heat treated to SR — choose when coiled or wound parts must hold shape and stay dimensionally stable without losing the worked fibre structure. W-5Re-SR has a yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 97% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 395 GPa (57.3 Msi). W-5Re-SR has a density of 19.4 g/cm³ (0.701 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,350°C (6,062 °F). AD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,250 MPa (181 ksi), better than 97% of refractory metal grades
- High service temperature — 2,300°C (4,172 °F), better than 96% of refractory metal grades
- Stiff — 395 GPa (57.3 Msi), better than 94% of refractory metal grades
- High electrical conductivity — 15.4 % IACS, better than 77% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 19.4 g/cm³ (0.701 lb/in³), worse than 94% of refractory metal grades
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 89% of refractory metal grades
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 78% of refractory metal grades
- Low fracture toughness — 15 MPa·√m (13.7 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of refractory metal grades
W-5Re-SR properties
Typical room-temperature values for W-5Re-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W-5Re reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
W-5Re-SR has a density of 19.4 g/cm³ (0.701 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 3,350°C (6,062 °F).
Mechanical16
W-5Re-SR has a yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 97% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 395 GPa (57.3 Msi).
Thermal6
W-5Re-SR is rated for continuous service to 2,300°C (4,172 °F). It conducts heat at 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W-5Re-SR conducts electricity at 15.4 % IACS, better than 77% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 72% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W-5Re-SR takes about 520 MJ of energy and emits 33 kg of CO₂ — less than 68% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
W-5Re-SR's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 89% of refractory metal grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W-5Re-SR
Is W-5Re easy to machine?
Treat as a grinding/EDM material: diamond or CBN wheels, wire EDM for profiles; if turned, use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide, low speed and warm the part to avoid chipping.
Can W-5Re be welded?
Join by electron-beam, laser or resistance welding in vacuum or high-purity argon; the fusion zone recrystallizes and becomes brittle, so keep welds out of bending zones and avoid any carbon/oxygen pickup.
Can W-5Re be formed, bent or molded?
Made by powder metallurgy (press–sinter) then hot/warm swaging, rolling and drawing above ~1000 °C; cold forming at room temperature is limited to gentle bends in fine wire (bend radius ≥ 5–10 d).
What surface finishes work on W-5Re?
Supplied electrochemically cleaned or chemically etched; no anodizing possible — for air service above ~500 °C an oxidation-protective coating (silicide, Ir, or use in vacuum/inert gas) is mandatory.
W-5Re chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Resolid-solution ductilizer | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Feresidual | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Niresidual, embrittling | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| C | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| O | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| N | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| Wbalance, typically ≥94.9 % | balance | — |
W-5Re-SR — frequently asked
What is W-5Re-SR used for?
W-5Re-SR is typically used for thermocouple wire, vacuum furnace heating elements and lamp filament support wire. In short: thermocouple-grade tungsten alloy; 2300 °C vacuum service; drawable to fine wire.
What is the yield strength of W-5Re-SR?
W-5Re-SR has a typical yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) — stronger than 97% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is W-5Re-SR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 89% of refractory metal grades). Treat as a grinding/EDM material: diamond or CBN wheels, wire EDM for profiles; if turned, use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide, low speed and warm the part to avoid chipping.
Can W-5Re-SR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Join by electron-beam, laser or resistance welding in vacuum or high-purity argon; the fusion zone recrystallizes and becomes brittle, so keep welds out of bending zones and avoid any carbon/oxygen pickup.
What surface finishes work on W-5Re-SR?
Supplied electrochemically cleaned or chemically etched; no anodizing possible — for air service above ~500 °C an oxidation-protective coating (silicide, Ir, or use in vacuum/inert gas) is mandatory.
Can W-5Re-SR be formed, bent or molded?
Made by powder metallurgy (press–sinter) then hot/warm swaging, rolling and drawing above ~1000 °C; cold forming at room temperature is limited to gentle bends in fine wire (bend radius ≥ 5–10 d).
What is the maximum service temperature of W-5Re-SR?
W-5Re-SR is rated for continuous use to about 2,300°C (4,172 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between W-5Re-AD and W-5Re-RX?
AD is the default condition — standard supply condition for Type C thermocouple legs and furnace heater/support wire — maximum strength, minimum handling breakage. RX: use when maximum thermo-EMF stability and creep resistance at 2000 °C+ matter more than room-temperature toughness; the alloy is notch-sensitive in this state. Yield strength is 1,700 MPa in AD versus 600 MPa in RX.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM E230/E230M — Standard Specification and Temperature-EMF Tables for Standardized Thermocouples (Type C/D W-Re) — ASTM (2017)
- Tungsten-rhenium alloy wire and sheet datasheets — Plansee / H.C. Starck / (2023)
- W-Re binary alloy phase diagram and thermophysical property compilations — ASM Alloy Phase Diagram Database (2016)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.